CBS traces reimbursed rail consultants’ rides to California agency chief’s home

CBS California found that reimbursed consultant trips included journeys to the Folsom home of California High-Speed Rail Authority chief Ian Choudri. Following the October 9 board meeting, the authority described tighter expense checks, while KPMG said it was reviewing claims.

CBS reviewed nearly 6,000 pages of KPMG and Nossaman invoices and claims covering September 2024 through January 2026. It reported about a dozen journeys to or from the residential street where Choudri owns a home in records for KPMG’s Thierry Prate and attorney Brent Butzin. A similar number involved nearby restaurants and bars. Some journeys began after midnight.

The investigation also described a $94.39 pizza delivery to the home charged to Prate’s corporate card. The authority disputed it, the consultant accepted the objection and taxpayers ultimately did not pay for the food. A transport journey was reimbursed. Five Butzin forms described meetings in Sacramento, although attached receipts included Folsom destinations.

A separate inspector general investigation identified deficiencies in advance approval and allowable consultant travel. The official October 9 board presentation distinguishes these categories and cautions that amounts overlap, so they cannot be added as separate violations. The authority said it was reviewing earlier claims and would recover expenses confirmed to be ineligible.

CBS reported that Choudri did not answer correspondent Julie Watts’ questions about the rides after the meeting. In writing, the authority outlined revised rules, training for consultants and contract managers, and advance approval requirements for business travel. KPMG said it would review expenses and reimburse the authority as appropriate. Prate, Butzin and Choudri did not answer CBS California’s individual requests.